Kentucky has won eight NCAA Tournament championships, and expectations are high for second-year coach Mark Pope to make a deep run this coming March as the No. 9 Wildcats prepare to open their season at home Tuesday against Nicholls in Lexington, Ky.

Kentucky was 24-12 and reached the Sweet 16 last season. The Wildcats haven't been to the Final Four since 2015 and parted ways with coach John Calipari after a string of disappointing postseason showings.

Pope inherited a stripped-down roster and quickly recruited a transfer-heavy team. The transfer portal will still be a big factor for his second squad, along with some key returnees.

Guard Otega Oweh, who was last season's leading scorer (16.2 points per game), turned down the NBA to return for another season at Kentucky. Center Brandon G

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